QuadMed Helps MilwaukeeCares Launch Pilot Program

QuadMed Clinics at Quad/Graphics’ West Allis Facility and at Briggs & Stratton and Miller Brewing Company Will Offer Free Healthcare to a Pilot Group of 50 Uninsured Milwaukee County Residents

Milwaukee Cares has partnered with QuadMed, the medical division of printer Quad/Graphics, to pilot a program for coordinating free access to healthcare for low income, uninsured patients in Milwaukee County. The pilot program will launch next week with assistance from QuadMed’s three area clinics, which are located onsite at Quad/Graphics’ West Allis facility and at Briggs & Stratton and Miller Brewing Company. Physicians at each of the three clinic locations have volunteered their time to provide healthcare to the uninsured — primarily people who work in low-paying jobs that don’t offer affordable health insurance, are self employed or have pre-existing medical conditions that make insurance unaffordable or impossible to secure.

"We have been working long and hard to improve access to quality healthcare for those Milwaukee County residents who have no health insurance and are ineligible for any of the government health programs, such as Badger Care or GAMP (General Assistance Medical Program)," said Jacqueline Sills Ware, director of MilwaukeeCares. "With the help of QuadMed physicians at Quad/Graphics, Briggs & Stratton and Miller Brewing Company, we will be able to put into place a comprehensive pilot program for enrolling, scheduling and tracking participants."

During the pilot program, 50 people who do not qualify for any government health insurance programs will be referred to MilwaukeeCares. MilwaukeeCares staff will determine eligibility for participation through verification of:

The patient’s Milwaukee County residency;

Ineligibility for other government health insurance programs such as Badgercare, Medicare, Medicaid and GAMP; and

Monthly household income between 100 percent and 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines limits.

Patient eligibility will be reassessed every six months to ensure services are provided to individuals and their dependents that are most in need of MilwaukeeCares services. The pilot program is expected to last three months or until 50 patients are seen.

Should a patient require medication, MilwaukeeCares will refer them to the $4 generic drug programs at Wal-Mart and Target. The patients will be responsible for covering the cost of any prescription medications.

"Quad/Graphics has a strong commitment to the fellow residents of our community and we're pleased to show that commitment through our participation in this forward-thinking program," said Dr. Len Quadracci, President of QuadMed Corporate Health Services. "Our county, like so many, is challenged to find quality, affordable healthcare for those in need."

"We want to be a positive force for change in our community and the healthcare system in general," added Joel Quadracci, President & CEO of Quad/Graphics. "It's gratifying to be a part of a solution that will make a meaningful difference in people's lives. We commend everyone associated with MilwaukeeCares for their dedication to the residents of Milwaukee County and setting an example for other communities nationwide."

Tom Long, President and CEO of Miller Brewing Company, reiterated Mr. Quadracci's sentiments. "We are happy Miller Brewing Company is a part of this important effort. Healthcare access for low income and uninsured families is a problem both here and across the country, and we and our partners in MilwaukeeCares feel an obligation to help ensure all people are getting the care they require. We look forward to continued growth of the program and its long-term success."

Jeff Mahloch, Vice President Human Resources for Briggs & Stratton, added: "Briggs & Stratton has been a part of the Milwaukee community for nearly 100 years. We, too, take seriously our responsibility to partner with the community and help find solutions to issues such as rising healthcare costs. We're happy to be a partner in this excellent pilot program."

Pilot program participants will be served at one of three QuadMed clinics:

Quad/Graphics 555 South 108 St. West Allis, WI 53214

Briggs & Stratton 3300 North 124th St. Milwaukee, WI 53222

Miller Brewing Company 4400 West State Street Milwaukee, WI 43208

About MilwaukeeCares MilwaukeeCares is an initiative of the Medical Society of Milwaukee County and Partnerships for Healthy Milwaukee, an organization funded by the College of Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. MilwaukeeCares is tailored after similar programs in other communities, including Racine’s Health Care Network and is devoted to developing and managing a coordinated system that helps uninsured people access free primary and specialty care, hospital services and medication.

MilwaukeeCares works in partnership with community health centers and free clinics to provide healthcare for the uninsured.

In the long run, MilwaukeeCares could save uninsured patients and the providers who see them money by proactively identifying and treating ailments before they become costly complications.

A 2006 study conducted by Aurora Health Care and the Wisconsin Department of Health & Family Services found that that 55 percent of uninsured patients had a household income of $10,000 to $30,000, which is between 100 percent and 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines limits. Based on household income criteria, approximately 42,240 Milwaukee County residents qualify for MilwaukeeCares.

MilwaukeeCares is funded through multi-year grants from the Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program, an endowment of the Medical College of Wisconsin; Blue Cross & Blue Shield United of Wisconsin Foundation; and the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services.

About QuadMedHeadquartered in Sussex, Wis., QuadMed is a nationwide leader in employer-sponsored healthcare, developing and implementing innovative programs designed to provide superior care for employees and significantly reduce healthcare expenditures. Adhering to its model of self-funded employee healthcare, QuadMed operates five clinics for its parent company, Quad/Graphics, as well as clinics for Briggs & Stratton and Miller Brewing Company.

QuadMed was founded in 1990 by Quad/Graphics, the largest privately held printer of magazines, catalogs and other commercial products with annual sales of $2 billion.